Completing a 100-kilometre ultramarathon is a feat few can claim. Winning such a race is even more remarkable. But doing so after starting 30 minutes behind the pack and while stopping frequently to breastfeed a baby is nearly unimaginable. Yet, this is precisely what Stephanie Case achieved earlier this week in the Snowdonia ultramarathon.
Stephanie Case, a human rights lawyer with the United Nations, had been absent from the competitive trail-running scene for three years. Her hiatus was not by choice but due to a challenging fertility journey marked by recurrent miscarriages and multiple IVF failures. Last November, she welcomed her daughter, Pepper, into the world, a moment that inspired her to encourage other mothers to “sign up for big things” despite the hurdles they may face.
Overcoming Challenges and Inspiring Others
Case’s journey to the Snowdonia ultramarathon was not just a personal victory but a testament to the resilience and determination of mothers everywhere. Her story underscores the importance of exercise during and after pregnancy, although it often comes with its own set of challenges. “You’ve already got all the courage you need in you to accomplish impossible challenges,” she shared on social media, reflecting on her journey.
Starting 30 minutes after the elite field, Case had no expectations of a podium finish, which she said allowed her to focus on running her own race. However, she wasn’t alone in her endeavor. Her partner, John Roberts, was present at various aid and refueling stations, bringing baby Pepper along for feeds while Case replenished her energy.
“While it broke my heart to leave little Pepper at the aid stations, I wanted to show her — both of us — how amazing mom runners can be,” Case expressed.
A Surprising Victory
Nearly 17 hours after she began, Case crossed the finish line of Britain’s largest ultramarathon, only to be met with an unexpected surprise. Due to her delayed start, race organizers had to verify her chip time. “I WON?!? I think I repeated it ten times,” she recounted on social media. Her official time of 16 hours, 53 minutes, and 22 seconds not only secured her victory but also placed her four minutes ahead of the second-place finisher, Lauren Graham from Britain.
Case’s preparation for the race was meticulous. She worked with Dr. Megan Roche, a coach specializing in female athlete science at Stanford University, to ensure her participation was both safe and healthy postpartum and while breastfeeding. This collaboration highlights the importance of expert guidance for athletes, particularly women navigating postpartum recovery.
Encouraging a New Perspective
At 42, Case acknowledges that while her accomplishments may inspire some, they can also be daunting for others. She encourages mothers to trust their instincts and bodies, rather than succumbing to societal pressures about what they should or shouldn’t do after childbirth.
“I’m lucky to be physically okay after childbirth (although it’s taken a lot of pelvic floor work!). Others aren’t so lucky,” she shared candidly. “And let’s be real, when I started dry heaving, I lost all bladder control after 95km.”
Her message is clear: there is no singular “comeback” after childbirth. Instead, it’s about embracing the next phase, whatever that may look like, whether on or off the trail.
The announcement of her victory comes as a significant moment in the world of ultramarathon running, not only showcasing the physical and mental strength of athletes like Case but also challenging traditional narratives around motherhood and athleticism. As she prepares for her next challenge, the Hardrock Endurance Run in Colorado, USA, Case continues to inspire with her message of resilience and empowerment.
